Statistics Canada says, in 2020, business productivity rose sharply in every province. Nationally, business productivity increased 8.1 per cent, the largest gain since the annual data series began in 1997. Employees over the course of 2020 faced a difficult year as businesses closed their doors and working hours were reduced. However, hours worked posted a much larger decline than GDP of businesses, and, as a result, productivity in every province recorded exceptional growth.
The situation for businesses and workers were unprecedented, reflecting an unusual year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Saskatchewan, productivity rebounded 6.1 per cent in 2020, after falling 2.5 per cent the previous year. It was up 8.0 per cent in goods-producing businesses and up 4.9 per cent in service-producing businesses. The overall growth was mostly driven by construction, agriculture and forestry, finance and insurance, and accommodation and food services. GDP of businesses dropped in 2020, 6.4 per cent, while hours worked posted an even larger decrease at 11.8 per cent.